Joy of joy today! For the first time in 3 weeks, I was well enough to make it to class and services this morning. My heart is so filled with happiness - I didn't realize how much I missed worshiping with the saints!

I woke up at 8 am this morning - a little groggy and sitting through class was kind of hard (good class - just mornings are hard).

Tonight is our monthly singing night and Dave is leading that service - I am resting this afternoon so I can go tonight as well.

Good news on Jennett's head: so far, so good. She feels good, the MRI didn't show any abscesses on her brain - it is just an infection in her scalp they are trying to prevent from moving into her skull. They are pumping her full of 3 different antibiotics - she feels fine - just very frustrated about being in the hospital.

My mom and dad made it home to Florida a few minutes ago - hopefully Gustav won't take a turn and head towards Pensacola - but they are oging to get some winds and rain.

Just a quick update on me: got up at 9 am - still really groggy all morning (of course, I took a Tylenol PM last night - trying to avoid the "good stuff" - aka Percocet).
Jennett - my best friend with the brain tumor - is back in the hospital today with a pretty serious infection in her incision site. She will probably be there for 7 to 10 days as they try to prevent the infection from getting into her skull. Please keep her in your prayers for a quick recovery. I joked with her this morning that we are the saddest bunch of people between the 2 of us!
My grandma is slowly recovering from her stroke and my mom and dad are up there visiting. They have to leave tomorrow to head home (TOWARD the hurricane???) but it's apparent grandma is not going to be able to live alone anymore. She is extremely independent and doesn't want leave her home, but my mom wants her in Florida near her - in an assisted living place. There are alot of changes she is going to have to make, so please pray for her and my mom and uncles as they try to do this.
On a completely happy note: the girls are ready to start school - today! Becca wants to go so badly - Tuesday isn't coming fast enough for her! It's so cute!

Well, yesterday (last night) - I made dinner for my family, did a load of laundry, went out to Target, Michaels and Office Max and still had energy last night. It was the first time I did that in 3 weeks!

This morning was "bring your school supplies in and meet your teacher day" at the school. It was hot, crowded and crazy there and I almost passed out from exhaustion and nausea. I came home and took a nap for 2 hours and I feel better again. I have been told that mono is 1 step forward, 2 steps back. But at least I am coming along.

Well, the mystery has been solved - besides the kidney infection, I got "The Kissing Disease" - yup - Mono! As Becca would say "What the world????"

I am feeling better - one funny thing did happen in the hospital: they gave me a really strong pain killer when I got admitted on Sunday night and said "You should feel drunk right now" - I looked at him and said "ummm.....never been drunk before - so THAT'S what it feels like!!" It was really too strong (something called Dilaudid).

I am hoping to go back to work on Tuesday - my office has been so wonderful and supportive (whew - I was worried). Now all I have to do is rest (HA HA HA HA!!!! School starts next Tuesday!)

Thanks for all your prayers and support - I am so ready to start feeling normal (today, I woke up at 9:15 am and have been awake all day except for a small nap this afternoon - the most I have been awake in 2 1/2 weeks!) The girls are happy I am home as is Dave. I have such wonderful friends that have delivered us meals and taken care of us.

Thanks again and I promise my next message will be fun and upbeat (something about the kids and their first day of school....)

Just a quick update... I am back in the hospital - had a reaction to the antibiotic they gave me and I still feel pretty crummy (severe back kidney pain)

They still don't know why I have a kidney infection after all this time - they are going to be running tests to rule out weird things now (at least the BIG things have been ruled out)

Please keep me in your prayers. The hospital is beautiful, but I"m ready to go home! (Strike that - ready to feel WELL!! (Been back here since Sunday night)

Angie